Today at 13:22
Starting from when the presidential oath is taken, the new constitution comes in power. Now Georgia is a parliamentary and not a presidential republic. According to the changes introduced in 2017, the rights and powers of the president were severely limited, while the prime minister and the parliament gained more powers.
“The new Constitution of Georgia reflects the will of the Georgian people, associated with the unhindered movement of Georgia towards the European Union and NATO. With the assistance of our strategic partners – the United States and European friends – I will contribute to this process,” Zurabishvili, said.
During her speech, Zurabishvili spoke about Russia’s aggressive policies against other countries. She called the actions of Russia in the self-proclaimed republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as the “occupation” and urged Moscow to obey international law.
“Russia, as our neighbor in the Caucasus region, must realize that if it wants to be a full-fledged member of the international community, and intends to restore normal relations in this region, it must prove, both in words and in fact, that it recognizes all the rules of international law. It is necessary to establish peaceful and equal relations with neighbors,” Zurabishvili, said.
The opposition stood against the inauguration of the president. Its leader, Grigor Vashadze, who also took part in the presidential elections, considers the results to be fabricated. He and his supporters had planned to hold a rally in Telavi, where the inauguration was held. However, law enforcement officers blocked the road to the city.
“The police, which are controlled by political forces, are blocking us. They have mobilized special forces! This is absurd!,” opposition leader Grigol Vashadzre said.
“We had a protest, a peaceful protest. We were heading to Telavi to speak against the inauguration of Zurabishvili, who dishonestly won the election. But the police blocked the central road to Tbilisi and to Kakhetia. That is why peaceful protesters and people, just ordinary people, cannot get to Telavi,” protest participant Katia Bekanuidze said.
The protesters could not break through the police cordon.
The presidential elections in Georgia took place in late November. Zurabishvili was an independent candidate, but she was supported by the ruling party. And now, the newly-appointed president considers Georgia’s membership in NATO and the European Union as the main priorities of her policy.
